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Siyotanka

Experience the world GRAMMY Nominated album Siyotanka. Share the adventure and discovery of the first flute through this moving musical odyssey. The soundtrack to the world premiere play. Winner of the Native American Music Award 2009 for Native Heart.

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

2010 Grammy Nominated Album#1 New Age album February 2009Native American Music Award Winning Album 2009 for Native HeartBest Native American Music Album of 2009 Zone Music Awards

Siyotanka is his third follow-up CD to the popular "Healing Sound Series" which includes "The River" and "Ocean". It was also used as the soundtrack to the world premiere of the original play he co-wrote with Stephen C. Lott, "Siyotanka: The Legend of the Flute". The world of "Siyotanka" takes the listener on a musical odyssey of mystery and imagination into the very heart of life. Share Takoda's journey into the wild to fulfill his destiny of bringing the flute, Siyotanka, back to his people. Relive his unforgettable musical encounters with Nuka, the woodpecker, Hinhan, the sagely owl, and Hexaka, the great elk.

"Michael Brant DeMaria has created a precious work.” - A Ultima Fronteira

"Intimate, introspective and revealing are the best words I can use to describe what he does through his flute on Siyotanka! I give this one a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."- Improvijazzation Nation

"DeMaria doesn't just string together notes or progressions; he grabs hold of the listener and tells a story in phrases and notes that speak to more than just the ears. Siyotanka is a thing of beauty." - Wildy's World

“Michael Brant DeMaria…has managed to create a masterpiece with his effort Siyotanka. The final verdict is in this is a wonderful CD full of magic and surprises. I give Siyotanka a perfect A+.” - New Music Spotlight

“DeMaria never missteps throughout the entirety of Siyotanka - every track is worthwhile and presents another mesmerizing step in the musical interpretation of Takoda’s quest.”- Bill Binkelman, New Age Reporter/Zone Music

“Siyotanka” (pronounced see-yoh-tahn-kah) is a soul-stirring and fascinating musical journey by Michael Brant DeMaria. The music is the award-winning soundtrack to an original play by DeMaria and Stephen C. Lott titled “Siyotanka: The Legend of the Flute.” The play is based on the Lakota legend, which tells of the quest to find one’s soul song and the journey each of us must take to become our true selves, risking ridicule, fear, and danger. Demaria composed and performed all of the music on piano, synthesizer, and Native American flutes. He has played keyboards and percussion since childhood, but he first heard the haunting sounds of the Native American flute while enacting a traditional vision quest in the wilds of Canada fifteen years ago - an encounter that changed his life. The music of “Siyotanka” ranges from flute with light percussion and/or nature sounds in the background to a big cinematic sweep with pulsating drums, the call of eagles, and light orchestration. Some of the pieces are quite ambient where others are somewhat more melodic. I don’t pretend to be a scholar of Native American music, but this album has deeply affected me with its energy and sincerity.

“Siyotanka” begins with “The Village,” a prelude of sorts that effectively sets the stage and mood with flute accompanied by a repeated keyboard rhythm, the sound of birds, and light orchestration. The flute has a mournful quality that is offset by a rhythm that suggests gentle rain or perhaps a carefree dance or even simple innocence. The title track is mostly flute and a deep-sounding drum that represents the heartbeat of the ancestors. The combination of flute and drum heightens the mystery and sounds more than a little bit ominous. “Grandfather” is mostly drums and chanting, representing the Elders blessing Takoda (the main character of the play) and sending him on his quest. “The Quest” is gorgeous. Darkly mysterious and spare, flute, piano, and drum are hypnotic. “The Dream” is also exceptional from both a musical and an emotional perspective. Expressing physical and psychological despair, the pain is palpable. Over the course of the 8-minute piece, Takoda receives a vision of the path before him and hope begins to return, evolving into strength and a clear sense of direction. From here, Takoda learns life lessons from teachers such as a woodpecker, an owl, and three trees. The music is bright and clear, and the sounds of nature give it optimism and grace as well as atmosphere. “Beyond the Known” is captivating with its intense guitar rhythm and subtle orchestration. If this piece doesn’t move you, something’s wrong! “Becoming Takoda” illustrates Takoda’s transformation as he realizes the beauty of life and its lessons, opening his heart and discovering his Soul Song. Cinematic yet intensely spiritual, DeMaria effectively portrays the world opening up to this young man along with the wonder of new wisdom and awareness. The “Siyotanka Reprise” that concludes the album shows Takoda returning to his village with the first flute and the Soul Song that he plays with all of his heart.

This is my first CD review of 2009, and I strongly feel that “Siyotanka” will still be on my list of favorites for the year next January. I give it my highest recommendation!

Grammy Nominated Michael Brant DeMaria PH.D is a clinical psychologist, composing musician and author with a new release in his Ontos Healing Sound Project which is essentially the achievement of over 25 years in personal and professional research by Michael Brant DeMaira's directive into the fundamental principles of auditory healing techniques. Michael Brant DeMaria was Grammy Nominated in 2009 for his exceptional Siyotanka album and I was pleased to learn his second in series Ocean, which ended the year 2009 with ZMR's Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Album Awards, is presently Grammy Nominated for Best New Age Album award for 2010. Siyotanka is the story based narrative and soundtrack score that secured a Native American Music Award ( NAMA ) in the Native Heart category, and then lead to his Grammy Nomination for Best Native American Music Album in the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, along with winning the Best Native American Album during the year ending Zone Music Reporter's Music Awards for 2009. After his Siyotanka release, Gaia became his current 2010 release in the Ontos Healing Sound Project and I was pleased to learn his second in series Ocean, which ended the year 2009 with ZMR's Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Album Awards, has lead to Michael's second Grammy Nomination for Best New Age Album in the 53rd annual Grammy Awards for 2010. Michael's music, books, art, and poetry have acquired top recognition in the United States along with international acceptance in Australia, Europe, Russia, and many other countries, touching many with his universal message and his music discography have been some of the more exclusive releases I have written about as a review publicist.

Wooden-flute player and keyboardist Michael Brant DeMaria has taken an age-old American Indian legend (the origin of the courting flute) and amplified the tale with an album full of instrumental tunes, SIYOTANKA.

In addition, DeMaria is a professional psychologist and soul guide who has had three books published. SIYOTANKA is his second CD. In addition to telling a story, DeMaria specifically created the music on SIYOTANKA to aid in spiritual journeys, meditation, healing and relaxation.

The tunes “Grandfather,” “Branched Horn” and “The Dream” include tribal drums and Indian chanting. Throughout, DeMaria’s flute playing is rich, resonant and poignant.

Sit back and enjoy this native-inspired music. Whether you simply let it float around you, or whether you follow the specific story (from the liner notes), these are heartfelt, soul-touching sounds.